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Page 77 - The local distribution of rainfall varies, however, from year to year, some sections receiving more rain one year, and other sections more in other years. The variation is caused largely by the movement of cyclonic storms. The average rainfall for the entire state during the driest year was 21.4 inches, and for the wettest year 37 inches. "Of equal importance, in agriculture, to the total rainfall, is its seasonal distribution, and in this respect Wisconsin is un• i This chapter has been taken...

Page 77 - Any one of these factors may determine the type of farming which can be followed to best advantage. "The distribution of rainfall over Wisconsin is remarkably uniform, the average yearly precipitation having a range of from 28 to 34 inches, while the mean for the state as a whole is 31 inches. This is a slightly heavier rainfall than is received by eastern England, northern France, most of Germany, and Sweden.

Page 77 - The precipitation during the winter, on the other hand is slight; December, January, and February each averaging from 1 to 1.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The average rainfall for the state during the winter is 3.9 inches, during spring 8.3 inches, during summer 11.4 inches and during autumn 7.4 inches.

Page 26 - ... more, depending upon the degree of acidity. The limestone may be applied at any convenient time as it is slowly soluble and will remain in the soil for a number of years. Another factor of importance to be considered in the permanent improvement of these soils is that of thorough cultivation. Plowing should be done when the moisture...

Page 79 - Another phase of rainfall distribution, of great importance, is its variation within a period of a few weeks. Frequently periods of drought and periods of unusually heavy rainfall occur, continuing for one to four weeks, and occasionally longer. Observations taken at Madison over a period of...

Page 80 - It will be observed that the normal winter temperstie if l£.£c; spring, 45.3°; summer, 68.9°; and fall, 49°. The mean annual temperature is 45.6°. Tie average rainfall of 29.55 inches is well distributed throughout the year, the average for the summer months of June, July, and August being 10.69 inches. Three of the eight climatic provinces of Wisconsin are represented in Columbia County. The western portion of the county is included in the Wisconsin River Valley; the southeastern part lies...

Page 7 - ... will not make a satisfactory growth. We may say, therefore, that failure is certain to be invited when such important facts are disregarded, or overlooked. The degree of success which it is possible to win on any farm is in direct proportion to the practical knowledge possessed by the farmer concerning the soil and its adaptation to crops. A thorough knowledge of the soil is as essential to the farmer as a knowledge of merchandise and business methods is to the merchant. The State of Wisconsin,...

Page 56 - These soils have in the surface 8 inches approximately 2,000 pounds of phosphorus per acre; from 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of potassium; and approximately 10,000 pounds of nitrogen. Since they are surrounded by highland, the subsoils of which are rich in ground limestone which is being continuously dissolved and carried to the lower lands by percolating waters, they are as a rule not acid, and in fact usually contain considerable quantities of lime carbonate. In spite of their large content of both...

Page 79 - September, inclusive, an average of 21 inches of precipitation, which is as much rain as that received during the same months by eastern Texas, Illinois, Ohio, or eastern New York. The small winter precipitation in Wisconsin, mostly in the form of snow, on the other hand, causes virtually no leaching of fertility from the soil, or erosion.